The EC stated the need for diplomacy on the issue of the United States and Iran

The European Commission warned of severe consequences in the event of a US military operation against Iran. This was announced on February 19 by the representative of the European Commission, Anwar al-Anuni, at a briefing in Brussels.

"A long—term solution to the situation around Iran is possible only through peaceful means," he said. The broadcast was conducted on the EC website.

The representative also noted that a military escalation would have grave consequences for the security of the entire region. At the moment, the European Commission supports the negotiations between the United States and Iran and calls on all parties to refrain from escalation.

He also stated that the EU is in contact with the parties to the Iran negotiations and is ready to contribute to the diplomatic process. When asked by reporters about a potential US military operation in the region, al-Anuni pointed out that "this is a hypothetical question."

Nuclear breakthrough: Will the US and Iran reach a new deal

Despite the dialogue, the US military is preparing for a military operation against the Islamic Republic.

Earlier in the day, political analyst Dmitry Brije warned of a chain of consequences in the event of a US attack on Iran. The expert said that the rhetoric of the American administration, including the use of slogans about "great Iran", as well as support for opposition symbols and figures, indicates the possibility of escalation in the near future.

CBS News reported on February 18 that the United States is ready to strike Iran this Saturday, February 21. It was noted that some of the Pentagon's troops have already been deployed to the Middle East. At the same time, US President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision.

At the same time, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that a new US strike on Iran would have negative consequences for the entire region and for Russia. He added that, according to his Iranian colleagues, the situation is now more or less normal, but the strikes on nuclear facilities forced Tehran to think about the physical protection of nuclear materials that are under the control of the agency and which could not be "touched."

The Wall Street Journal learned on February 17 that Tehran is ready to suspend uranium enrichment for up to three years and consider exporting part of its reserves outside the country as part of a potential agreement with Washington. At the same time, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, commenting on the Geneva talks with the American side, called them constructive. According to him, the parties have reached an understanding on a number of common issues and are closer to discussing the essence of a possible agreement. The negotiations concerned the Iranian nuclear dossier.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.